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A fresh outlook for German science

25 June 2008

GERMANY is the birthplace of 100 Nobel laureates. From Max Planck and Albert Einstein to Werner Heisenberg and Otto Hahn, the list of scientists who honed their craft, and made their breakthroughs and their names in Germany is astounding. But how does the country fare as a modern destination for researchers?

Recent initiatives demonstrate Germany’s commitment to integrating its proud academic traditions with international standards of research. In 2006, nearly a quarter of a million foreign students were enrolled in Germany’s higher-education system, making it the third most popular destination worldwide behind the US and the UK. Last year, German researchers overtook the UK in the total number of research papers published and citations per paper. Germany also leads Europe in terms of the rate of patents filed – applying for a new one every 22 minutes, on average.

Katie James of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) says there are many reasons why the country is increasingly attractive to UK researchers. “There are a lot of programmes going on in English now, so that’s a big draw,” she says. “The cost of living isn’t as high in Germany as it is in the UK, and the fees are considerably lower for postgrads. There seem to be more doors opening for foreign students and researchers, and there’s money behind them.”

But it’s not just a matter of throwing money into the system&colon; profound changes are happening at policy level as well. Historically, the German higher-education system has not aligned well with the academic qualifications of other countries. Before March this year, merely using the title of “Dr” without a PhD from a German university was illegal there. But there is now a concerted effort to create internationally compatible bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes to keep international researchers in step.

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There are big changes in Germany – it’s a very exciting time

Even before these efforts, things were not that bleak. “I never felt I was treated differently just because I didn’t have a German education,” says Benedetta Ciardi, an Italian-born astrophysicist now working at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Garching. “And although my less-than-basic knowledge of the German language could have negatively affected my career, this never happened.”

In October 2006, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG), the country’s primary research funding agency, organised a conference on careers in science and research. “The young researchers present mainly asked for flexibility and reliability of career paths, and for active personal development offering long-term career prospects,” says DFG’s Anjana Buckow. “Everybody concerned – politicians, funding organisations, universities – now knows what needs to be done, and there is now a lot of change in the German research system, especially at the university level. It is a very exciting time.”

Of concern to many European countries is the dearth of permanent positions available higher up the research ladder. That is being addressed in Germany by the Excellence Initiative, agreed in 2005 by the federal and state governments to promote top-level research. “It not only pours ¬1.9 billion into German research, but it will also contribute to the creation of up to 10,000 new jobs for highly qualified researchers at different career stages in the next few years,” Buckow says.

What’s more, German academic research is not limited to the university system – quite the opposite in fact. The federal and state governments fund networks of institutes across all disciplines. These include the Max Planck Society, famous for fundamental research, the Fraunhofer Society, which focuses on applied research, and the Leibniz Community, a diverse group of institutes covering fundamental and applied research in science as well as the humanities.

Each network is well known worldwide for the quality of research its institutions are involved in. And they are great places to work, says Ionela Vrejoiu, a Romanian physicist now at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle. “It is incredible how much it motivates you and speeds up the achievement of your scientific targets when you work in a top-level environment,” she says. “And female researchers are much supported and encouraged to pursue a scientific career.”

The complex mixture of federal and state funding results in an equally complex system of hiring practices and salaries, says Christian Herbst of BMBF. However, Annette Schavan, the German minister for education and research, has tabled a motion, currently being debated by the government, called the “Law for Liberty in Science”. If it is passed, the law will provide more freedom to the individual institutions, so that they can put money into the disciplines they deem need it most.

So the system has structure, money and support. But how to make the leap into science in Germany? For postgrads and junior researchers looking to head to Germany, the first port of call should be DAAD, both for funding options and a wealth of advice. For anyone from postdoc level up to established professors, both the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – a non-profit foundation established to promote international research cooperation – and DFG offer advice and well-funded bursaries for incoming foreign researchers.

So what’s to be found outside the lab? “Culturally speaking, Germany can be more or less anything you desire, if you know where to look,” says Vrejoiu. “Its well-known tradition for music is undisputed. Music is everywhere.”

Music is not the only pervasive feature of life in Germany of course. Damaris Odeny, a plant biologist from Kenya working in Cologne, has found that sheer organisation is not left behind in the lab. “There are well-organised, diverse social groups that one can always fit into, and it feels very safe and secure here. I can work till late without worrying about how to get home, as the transport system is quite efficient,” she says.

And there is a lot to explore, no matter in what part of Germany you find yourself. Krishnaraj Rajalingam, an Indian-born biologist now at the University of Frankfurt, says he makes the most of his surroundings. “There are bike and trekking routes in forests, historic cities, pretty little villages, vineyards, castles, lakes and of course the Alps – Germany has a lot to offer.”

Careers – Find out how to make the most of your career in our comprehensive special report.

Case study: Florin popescu

“Being a scientist in Germany is being a visitor to a rigid, structured and very prestigious academic tradition, which may be overwhelming at first,” says Florin Popescu, a neurology researcher from the US who came to Germany three years ago. “However, the structure is becoming more malleable in order to compete in the global research arena – one doesn’t even need to speak German, at least not at the office or lab.” The once-requisite “habilitation” – a second doctoral thesis and defence – is no longer necessary for most junior professorships, Popescu says.

Another upside is being looked after by your employers. “German benefits are famous around the world and are generally more generous than in English-speaking countries.” What’s more, there is lots of life outside of work. “I live in Berlin, and people come here from all over the world for culture and fun. German university towns are generally open-minded places with a deep sense of culture.”

This culture can help your work life, too, says Popescu – in a manner of speaking. “When equipment breaks down or the data’s not right, and you leave the lab frustrated and exhausted, there’s nothing like a nice pint of refreshing German beer.” But beware those big steins. “As a scientist, you’ll be working hard, so you’ll have to enjoy your youthful energy by the ‘half-pint’.”